Category Archives: Musical Festival

Since decades Indian music enthusiasts salivated over international music festivals, like the kinds of Coachella and Glastonbury. But not any more, now the desert state of Rajasthan, with an impressive calendar of music festivals is becoming India’s hottest music destinations. Off late, Rajasthan with its folk art culture is fast becoming the preferred music destination for music lovers. The audience for these festivals is largely from India. Although, there are some festivals in the state that also attract a bevy of international visitors as well as performers. Read about the most prominent Music Festivals of Rajasthan that one mustn’t miss –

Ranthambore Festival

Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambhore (January 19-21, 2018)

Calling all music luminaries, nature lovers, wildlife conservationists, business thought leaders and social influencers to this enthralling jamboree. Get ready for a weekend filled with some amazing and educational experiences. You can look forward to an amazing selection of indigenous and international musical performances.

The festival lets you immerse in interactive music workshops, TED talks, Rajasthani folk art workshops, wildlife and nature panel discussions and wildlife film festival. The Ranthambore festival also has street theatre, yoga workshops, food, pop-up art and crafts stalls to keep you entertained.

The ambiance is perfect, the chance of spotting tigers is high, Rajasthani cuisine is delectable and the Ranthambore festival at Nahargarh Palace is on. Don’t keep Rajasthan waiting!

Udaipur World Music Festival

Image via google

Udaipur (February 9-11, 2018)

Nearly 150 artists from various countries converge in the city to combine genres and cultures through music. As with most festivals in Rajasthan, the ambience takes center stage with early morning concerts in the backdrop of Fateh Sagar Lake. While the 2018 line-up is yet to be officially announced, the 2017 edition featured artists from 16 countries, including the UK, Iran, Norway, Cuba and Switzerland.

Iranian American singer Azam Ali enthralled the audience with Electro Sufi World Music and Ablaye Cissoko from Senegal collaborated with Constantinople Ensemble from Canada. The finale performance was by the London Community Gospel Choir. Festival Director Sanjeev Bhargava says, “A festival of this scale featuring such diverse music from so many different continents and regions coming together in one of the best tourist destinations of India makes Udaipur a culturally vibrant destination.”

World Sacred Spirit Festival

Image via google

Jodhpur (February 16-17, 2018)

Held in February every year, the event brings lovers of Sufism together. Sufi poets sing renditions of Rumi and Bulley Shah as the crowds sway into a spiritual trance. Next year’s festival will be held at three different breathtaking venues, Mehrangarh Fort, Ahhichatragarh Fort of Nagaur and Toorji Stepwell Square, across the desert city of Jodhpur. Artistes scheduled to perform include sitar player Irshad Khan, folk singer and storyteller Parvathy Baul. musician Mehdi Nassouli, tabla player Zuheb Ahmed Khan from Palestine, flute player Lingling Yu from China and musicians Samuel Cattiau and Quentin Dujardin. Princess Shivranjani Rajye of Jodhpur curates the festival. Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur said “The festival is a pioneering effort in cultural conservation and music tourism in India.”

Magnetic Fields

Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan

Held in December every year, Magnetic Fields has been growing in popularity organically. The festival’s main draw is the holistic experience which includes camping under the skies, discreet parties, dance and music in palace dungeons, art installations with jazz, jam and electronica.

The 2017 line-up included British artist Four Tet, Canadian composer and musician Dan Snaith, Your Chin by Mumbai based Raxit Tiwari, and Donal Bergin, a prominent name in London’s electronic music scene. The three-day carnival combines the history of the magnificent venue Alsisar Mahal with rustic pleasures, such as kite flying at sunset as electronic and jazz melodies resonate in the desert palace.

Udaipur World Music Festival is a three day event which brings together more than 150 artists from across sixteen countries including United Kingdom, Italy, South Africa, Senegal, Canada, Armenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Mozambique, Norway, Iran, Cuba, Switzerland and India among other nations to multiple venues across the city of Udaipur.

The festival featuring a diverse mix of music from different continents and regions coming together in one of the best Tourist destinations of India turns Udaipur into a much more culturally vibrant destination during these three days. It is an annual event where International and domestic travelers flock to Udaipur to witness the magic of music.

Programme Details- February 10-12, 2017

The first day of the festival, this year will take off from Gandhi Ground where Iranian American Singer Azam Ali will introduce us to the spiritual world of Electro Sufi World Music with her music partner Niyaz and the very famous Kailash Kher & Kailasa will croon Sufi numbers. For an international spin, the collective of musicians from Mozambique, Norway, Sweden and Zimbabwe—Monoswezi—will hypnotise the crowd with their fresh spin of traditional African songs.

On the second day, Fateh Sagar Paal lake of Udaipur will echo with the magical poetic renditions of Ablaye Cissoko from Senegal who will collaborate with theConstantinople Ensemble from Canada for the first time in India. Music lovers will also witness band Kabir Cafécelebrating the great Saint Kabir’s writings. In the evening, Gandhi Ground will come alive with smashing rock numbers of Indian band Parvaaz and South African World Music band Hot Water.The day will conclude with a high-energy performance by Bangalore based folk/fusion band, Swarathma.

The third and final day will be one filled with a lot of novelty like trance and gospel music which seldom come on a big platform like this. The day will commence at Fateh Sagar Paal with Brazilian songs, Afro-Cuban rhythms and Jazz renditions of the vivacious Swiss-Cuban musician Yilian Canizares. The festival will end in the evening at Gandhi Ground with three performances—Italian band Officina Zoewill introduce you to the world of trance with the Trance Therapy Music of Taranta; guitarist and composer Dhruv Ghanekar’s new project Dhruv Voyage will join force with some of the exciting musicians in the country andLondon Community Gospel Choir will give the festival a fitting spiritual finale.

The Literati ‘Maha Kumbh’ of our times in its 10th year brings in the confluence of Music and prose like never before. Prepare to be blown away by an eclectic mix of talent that has descended in the historic and beautiful ‘Pink city’. There truly couldn’t be a more apt setting to this high octane yet soulful unraveling of the most incredible Literature festival on earth.

Here is a lowdown on JLF- the musical just for you. Plan your days for JLF so that you don’t miss out on any of the incredible events!

19th January 2017

9.15 AM / Diggi Palace, Front Lawns

Shillong chamber Choir :After Winning India’s got talent, this talented group went on to win 3 gold medals at the World Choir games. Equally adept at Western Classical, Hit-rock, Khasi folk Music and opera, they are indeed a treat to watch.

Nathu Lal Solanki : He hails from the legendary ‘Pushkar Sangeet Gharana.This master percussionist and his Nagara are a part of Rajasthan’s musical heritage. He is a master of ‘Kuchmani Khayal’ and his performances are mesmerizing and unforgettable.

7.30-9.45 PM / Clarks Amer

RajasthanJosh : Who doesn’t know Chugge Khan and band, also called Rajasthan Josh. They fill in this incredible space which brings together Rajasthani, Punjabi and Sufi influences of Music together.They come from the tradition of ‘Bhakti’ and ‘Sufi’ wherein the each musical piece is a guftagoo of deep divine love between the almighty & the mortal soul.

Kabir Cafe : Neeraj Arya will be the Voice of Kabir. Over last 8 years, he has taken his poetry across the country. Mir mukhtiyar and Prahald Tipanya and their folk music together with poetry of Arya is Kabir Cafe.

20th January 2017

9.15 AM / Diggi Palace, Front Lawns

Swanand Kirkire : The multi-talented writer, poet, lyricist, actor, music director, singer and theater personality is here at JLF. You have heard him on Coke-studio and Dewarist, collaborating with Zeb and Haniya on the exceedingly soulful ‘Kaho Kya Khayal Hai ?, you have heard his ‘Bande Mein Tha Dum’ from Munnabhai MBBS, ‘Behti Hawa sa tha woh’ from 3-Idiots and ‘Manjha’ from ‘Kai Po che’. You can’t give him a miss.

Ankur Tiwari & Ghalat Family: He is a playback singer and Music-director from the Indian music industry. Through his 10 year journey from a hotel trainee to music can be nothing but a story of passion. He is actually a storyteller who is just narrating his beautiful simple stories through music.you have heard his ‘Galliyan’ from Ek Tha Villian, ‘O-Yara’ from Bin roye‘ and ‘Sun raha hai na tu’ from Aashiqui -2.

7.30-9.45 PM / Clarks Amer

Bombay Bassment : The first Indian hip-hop band to perform at the prestigious ‘Glastonbury’ , members of Bombay Bassment are two Goans, one Mumbaiker, and one Kenyan. Together, Levin Mendes (drums), Ruel Barretto ( bass), Chandrashekhar Kunder and Bob Omulo aka MC Bobkat make tunes that brings together hip hop, drum ‘n’ bass, and elements of funk and reggae.

Inna Modja : she is a Malian-french singer.With hits like Mr H, La File Du Lido and French Cancan. She is a singer and song writer who expresses her music based on Motown Soul, Sahel Desert Blues, Mandinka guitars and Kora meets hip-hop.

7.30 / Ganesh Pole, Amer Fort

Rhythm and Rhyme : will be an evening of poetry readings held at Amber Fort, Jaipur on Friday, 20th January at 7.30 PM. Bringing together voices from two sides of the globe, the session will witness readings by celebrated American poet Anne Waldman and the renowned Bollywood lyricist Swanand Kirkire. This will be followed by Sarod Recital by Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at the Amber Fort.

21st January 2017

9.15 AM / Diggi Palace, Front Lawns

Padmini Rao : Classical Singer Padmini Rao has quite a lineage. From the North Indian Classical Gharana of Kirana‘, she has trained under ‘Padmabhushan’ Dr Prabha. She has learnt Sitar from ‘Padmini Dagar’ and Drupad & Veena from Diwangat Maestro Zia Moinuddin KhanDagar‘.

7.30-9.45 PM / Clarks Amer

Soulmate : Inspired by the roots and groove sounds of the Blues, Blues-rock, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, funk and R&B, Soulmate was formed when Rudy Wallang and Tipriti Kharbangar decided to form a band dedicated to spreading awareness about the Blues genre.

Beth Orton & Sam Amidon : Beth Orton is a singer and songwriter who has released six trailblazing albums, including the BRIT Award-winning Central Reservation, and 2012’s ‘Sugaring Season’, which Vogue described as ‘a beautiful and timely album, filled with melancholy’. Sam Amidon is a singer/banjoist/fiddler/guitarist originally from Brattleboro, Vermont. He has released five acclaimed albums of radically reimagined folksongs on the Bedroom Community and Nonesuch labels, most recently 2014’s Lily-O.

Mujra se Multiplex tak : will take the audience on a journey through the magical realm of entertainment at Hawa Mahal. Coursing through the ever changing world of cultural entertainment, the session will explore how the audiences at entertainment venues have evolved over the years. Writer and musician Vidya Shah will reflect on these changes through song while actor Luke Kenny punctuates them with poignant poetry and quirky banter.

22nd January 20179.15 AM / Diggi Palace, Front Lawns

Debashish Day : He is a classical singer specialising in Thumri, Dadra, Thappa , Chaiti and Kajri. He is also well known for his Bhajan style of singing.

7.00-10.00 PM / Clarks Amer

Lisa Hannigan : Lisa Hannigan’s haunting voice has featured on soundtracks for TV series Fargo and Oscar-winning Gravity and she has collaborated with artists as diverse as Ray LaMontagne, Richard Hawley and Herbie Hancock. Her new album At Swim is her most bewitching yet.

Aga Khan All Stars : Aga Khan Music Initiative, a programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, is an inter-regional music and arts education programme to preserve, transmit and develop musical heritage in contemporary forms. The Aga Khan Music Initiative Ensemble brings together the Initiative’s leading artists and AKTC’s collaborators of the past fifteen years. These master musicians are not only brilliant performers, but also pioneering composers, arrangers, improvisers, teachers, and mentors. They bring all of these talents and abilities to bear on their work with the Aga Khan Music Initiative, drawing inspiration from the past to create new music, and playing an active role in the Music Initiative’s education programme. Homayoun Sakhi on the Afghan rubab, Wu Man on the pipa, Saxophonist and composer Basel Rajoub, Salar Nader on tabla, Andrea Piccioni on single-headed frame drums, and qanun player Feras Charestan. The Ensemble will perform a newly created repertoire of compositions, improvisations and contemporary arrangements inspired by tradition.

Raghu Dixit : Their infectious, happy music transcends age, genre and language. From playing to over 100,000 people in Karnataka, to Glastonbury and even playing for the Queen of England, Dixit has done it all! Have a great time to their earthy, rooted, vibrant yet simple fun.

23rd January 2017

9.15 AM / Diggi Palace, Front Lawns

East meets Middle East : It’s a confluence of MiddleEast and South Asian Musical heritage. Subrat bhattacharya (Tabla), Abhishek Lohiri (Sitar), Rony Maili on Barbat and George on the percussion. They will dissolve boundaries as their music will bring together North African, Middle eastern and South Asian nuances of music.

So go ahead, book your tickets here and spend your evening in the company of the musical greats that India and the world is here to offer at JLF.

The first long weekend of New Year calls for some exciting adventure or unforgettable holiday experience! Imagine if you could get it all in one package? Give a thought to this kind of weekend which is filled with the strains of folk music, majestic performances by music and dance luminaries, an open-air wildlife film festival on a giant screen, tiger safaris, and fantastic interactive talks on conservation success stories by wildlife conservationists, music workshops, yoga & meditation camps!!! All this will be experienced in the stunning Nahargarh Palace amid Ranthambore Forest. January 27-29 2017. it’s a long weekend and now you know what to do.

The Ranthambore Festival hosted by Alsisar Hotels- Nahargarh Palace is a not-for-profit cultural showcase to bring together nature and music lovers, international and Indian musical luminaries, nature and wildlife conservationists, business thought leaders, and social influencers to consolidate and supercharge the music and nature conservation effort and influence a wide audience towards action. There’ll be much more than the music and talks..

Heritage Walk

In collaboration with Pause and Effect, the Ranthambore Festival will conduct heritage walks to unveil the history and hidden treasures of the environs surrounding us.The walk, guided by locals, will start at Nahargarh Palace and culminate at UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ranthambore Fort will educating festival-goers about the legends & legacies of the region.

Wildlife Film Festival

If the Jungle safaris in Ranthambore National Park are too close for your comfort, you can visit the outdoor film festival to view the secret lives of animals through the lenses of wildlife filmmakers from around the country.

The Main Stage

Nestled in the forests of Ranthambore lies Nahargarh, the magnificent royal palace of Alsisars, this is the venue for Ranthambore Festival. The beautiful halls, courtyards, terraces, avenues and the newly constructed Hathi Kund at Nahargarh will be completely transformed on the republic day weekend of 2017 as it plays host to a festival.

Within the ramparts of Nahargarh Palace lies its crown jewel, Hanthikund, where the Ranthambore festival’s headlining performers will take the spotlight. Built in the style of traditional step-wells that date back to 200 AD, the BookASmile Hanthikund main stage promises an unforgettable cultural experience under the stars.

Registrations are now Live on Bookmyshow ! Theirresidential and non residential all-access passes are now available at early bird prices, and you can book them here:https://goo.gl/9TPFcn
Since the Nahargarh Palace has limited rooms available, it is recommended that you book early to avoid disappointment.

There are several routes to Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambore, and they’re all as convenient as they are scenic. Here’s some help choosing your best option to reach the festival.

On chilling October evenings, when the sun is setting and the sky is filled with orange and reddish hues, you hear light music passing by your ears and the wind embracing your skin gently. Everybody wrapped in shawls and sweaters, occupying their place on the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, and listening to the enthralling music of Rajasthani Folk musicians. This is exactly how the setting of Jodhpur’s Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) is, which is conducted every year in and around Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort.

Image via Google

Jodhpur RIFF is among the world’s top 25 music concerts which soak you totally into Rajasthani culture. This year, the fest is being conducted from 13th to 17th October. The event goes on from day to night where talented performers showcase their area of expertise and enthrall the spectators. From Rajasthani folk music to traditional dances, from circus acts to plays, everything keeps people engaged throughout.

Image via Google

The Festival should not to be missed by anyone because this can only be experienced once in a year. The schedule for this year’s RIFF is as below:

Date

Event(s)

Time

Venue

13-Oct

Children’s Folk Morning

9.30 AM to 2.00 PM

Veer Durgadas Memorial Park,

Jodhpur

Opening Night – Variety City Concert

8.30 PM to 10.00 PM

14-Oct

1) Jodhpur RIFF DAWNS with the Meghwal of Marwar

5.30 AM to 7.30 AM

Jaswant Thada (outside

Mehrangarh Fort)

2) Kahaniyan Kahan hai?

11.00 AM to 1.00 PM

Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh

Fort)

3) Living Legends I

5.45 PM to 7.15 PM

Lift Terrace

(Mehrangarh Fort)

4) MOODY RIFF

7.45 PM onwards

Old Zenana Courtyard

(Mehrangarh Fort)

5) Desert Lounge (all acoustic, traditional – from Rajasthan)

11.30pm onwards

Rao Jodha Park (Mehrangarh

Fort)

15-Oct

1) RIFF DAWNS with Bhaga Khan Manganiyar

5.30 AM to 7.30 AM

Jaswant Thada (outside

Mehrangarh Fort)

2) Where do we go from here? An interaction with the next generation of Langa and Manganiyar musicians and their teachers. In Residence II – a series of interactive sessions with our custodians of culture

11.00 AM to 1.00 PM

Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh

Fort)

3) Living Legends II

5.45 PM to 7.15 PM

Lift Terrace

(Mehrangarh Fort)

4) STRINGS and BEATS

7.45 PM onwards

Old Zenana Courtyard (Mehrangarh Fort)

5) CLUB MEHRAN

11.30 PM onwards

Venue to be confirmed

16-Oct

1) RIFF DAWNS with Smita Bellur

5.30 AM to 7.30 AM

Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)

2) Winds of the Thar – The aero-phonic instruments of Rajasthan In Residence III – a series of interactive sessions with our custodians of culture

11.00 AM to 1.00 PM

Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh Fort)

3) MOONRISE SPECIAL

5.30 pm to 7.00 pm

Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)

4) INSIGHTS

7.30 PM onwards

Old Zenana Courtyard (in Mehrangarh Fort)

5) RIFF Rustle at Club Mehran with Ben Walsh and a pick of Rajasthani and international artists from the festival

Great news has arrived for all those who would love to experience night life in Rajasthan. An event called Jaipur by Night is being conducted to promote night tourism in Jaipur. This is going to take place on 16th and 17th September.

Band performing in musical night at “Jaipur By Nite” held in 2014

The event will begin with various performances. In fact, 16th will be dedicated to the cultural performances at the majestic Jaigarh Fort. The entry will begin from 5.30 pm onward where Rajasthani troupe will be performing at Chowk 1 & 2 on the beats of vibrant music while others will be showcasing the various other forms of art such as puppet dance, caricature artist, magic show, handicraft show, live painting at night etc.

Glimpse of musical night at “Jaipur By Nite” held in 2014

A musical concert will also follow at Char Bagh in which the pioneer of Indian pop music,Euphoria will make you tap your feet to the beat of their music. Rajasthan Roots, which is a world’s famous band of folk musicians from Rajasthan, will make you groove under the sheet of stars in the moonlit skies. Then, the event will come to an end with dinner.

Musical night at “Jaipur By Nite” held in 2014

The next day, Jaipur will experience its first after sunset marathon at night at Clarks Amer. The marathon has been divided into two tracks;

10k with timing chip for age group of 14 years and above

5k without timing chip and for all age group.

There will be other attractions running along like roadside bands, music and nukkad show on the theme etc.

To add a spark to the night life of Jaipurites and its tourists, Pink City is holding the 4th edition of “Jaipur by Nite”. With the carnival beginning on 16 and 17th September, it will mark the beginning of first-of-its-kind night marathon this year.With Diya Kumari its Brand Ambassador, the event promises to bring forth the rich heritage and culture of the state.

The first day of the event, i.e. 16th September will have various musical performances by bands such as Euphoria which will be performing at Jaigarh Fort. With a blend Rajasthani music, Rajasthan Roots will be enchanting its audience with Rajasthani folk fusion. Other than these will be various other Rajasthani Troupe performances like Kachhi Ghodi, Shekhawati Chang Dhap, Bhope Bhopi and Dhol wale along with some fun events such as puppet show, magic show, parrot card reader and live paintings at night.

The next day will be dedicated to Marathon which will begin from Hotel Clarks Amer which will be divided into two categories of 10 km (for 14 years and above with timing chip) and 5 km (no age limit without timing chip).

This event will provide a chance to all the visitors across India to participate and get accustomed to the heritage and culture of Pink City at night.

Take a look at some of the pictures from previous Jaipur by Nite events.